Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine was without a doubt the most colorful woman of her time, considered by many to have been the most powerful and enlightened woman of her age. Eleanor had six different titles. She was the queen of France and England, Duchess of Aquitaine and Normandy, and Countess of Poitou and Anjou. She was also the mother of two English kings. Eleanor became the first woman to rule the Aquitaine in her own right. She held the spotlight, wielding power over the most important men of her time. Her greatest areas of achievement were literature, government, and politics.
Eleanor was born in 1122, either at Bordeaux or at the nearby castle of Belin, southern France. Eleanor was the elder daughter of William, tenth Duke of Aquitaine and Aenor de Chatellerault. Around 1130, at age eight her mother, sister, and four year old brother died at the castle of Talmont. Her father William X was fond of her and took her everywhere including all of the castles in his kingdom. The first important influences on the childhood of Eleanor was her father and William IX, her grandfather. SHe learned leadership from watching her father working. Eleanor's father ensured that she had the best possible education. Her education was not confined to women’s arts. Eleanor learned to read and write Latin as well as her regional language, Poitevin, which were unusual accomplishments for a layperson. She was also schooled in riding, hawking, and hunting. The death of Eleanor's only brother, and of her father in 1137, left her with a large inheritance.She became the sole heir to the duchy of Aquitaine, the richest and largest province of France. Since William X had lead the Aquitaine in its artistic undertakings as his own father had done, after he died Eleanor considered it her responsibility to do the same. This made her one of the most influential patrons of the twelfth century renaissance. Eleanor's succession to the duchy of Aquitaine in 1137 made her the most eligible bride in
Eleanor was born in 1122, either at Bordeaux or at the nearby castle of Belin, southern France. Eleanor was the elder daughter of William, tenth Duke of Aquitaine and Aenor de Chatellerault. Around 1130, at age eight her mother, sister, and four year old brother died at the castle of Talmont. Her father William X was fond of her and took her everywhere including all of the castles in his kingdom. The first important influences on the childhood of Eleanor was her father and William IX, her grandfather. SHe learned leadership from watching her father working. Eleanor's father ensured that she had the best possible education. Her education was not confined to women’s arts. Eleanor learned to read and write Latin as well as her regional language, Poitevin, which were unusual accomplishments for a layperson. She was also schooled in riding, hawking, and hunting. The death of Eleanor's only brother, and of her father in 1137, left her with a large inheritance.She became the sole heir to the duchy of Aquitaine, the richest and largest province of France. Since William X had lead the Aquitaine in its artistic undertakings as his own father had done, after he died Eleanor considered it her responsibility to do the same. This made her one of the most influential patrons of the twelfth century renaissance. Eleanor's succession to the duchy of Aquitaine in 1137 made her the most eligible bride in